First Disney Trip

[mobz]

We are planning our first Disney trip for October! I have a 4 year old that loves to ride rides but just wondering if there are any I should avoid in the parks? I should mention she is really tall and can ride most of the attractions!

 

[DISaholic's]

Welcome to the Dis!! So exciting that you are planning your first trip. My best advice is to educate yourself about the parks and to plan. For first timers Walt Disney World can be overwhelming it's so huge. The number one mistake of first timers going to WDW is not taking into account the size, number of things to do/see and understanding you will not do it all.

Your daughter is a great age for her first trip. Remember though many of the rides are in the dark and can be quite loud. The first time we took my daughter she was almost three and was scared of almost everthing accept the carousel and It's a Small world. But the first time we took my middle son he was four and loved loved loved everything. It's very kid dependent.

Read these boards voraciously, pick up a planning book or two with good descriptions of the rides - I like the Birnbaum book and also the UnOfficial Guide to WDW -and plan well (making sure you build in a break every day for needed down time for all!)

Besides that....get excited!! WDW is truely the most magical place on earth

Jeanne

 

[mobz]

Thanks for the reply! We are staying at Port New Orleans Riverside. Would it be easier to take a car to the parks or the Disney transportation? We do plan on coming back to the hotel mid day for breaks and just want to conserve as much time as possible!

 

[SoScary'09]

Hey there! Welcome to the boards and congrats on booking your first trip :3 As Disaholic's just mentioned, be sure to read up and educate yourself as much as you can before you take the plunge. The more you know, the better time you're sure to have (and the less time you'll spend struggling to find things).

When staying on-site we always opt for Disney Transportation. With staying at Riverside you'll have some extra walking to do, but I would stick with the bus stop.

 

[mobz]

Thanks! There is so much information out there!! I really can't wait to go and to see how excited my daughter is to meet Mickey!

 

[kmb584]

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You certainly picked a great place to help plan your upcoming Disney vacation and a great age to take your daughter for the first time!

There are a lot of things to consider when deciding if she's going to like an attraction or not! Is she adventurous? Does she like to try new things? Is she afraid of the dark? Loud noises?

The good thing about Disney is that they offer attractions to please every type of visitor. Fantasyland at MK is surely going to be hit, Nemo & Friends and The Seas at Epcot, Pixar Place at HS, Rafiki's Planet Watch at AK. My DD is 3 and her favorite ride (aside from It's a Small World)? The Haunted Mansion. I didn't think she'd like it but we have a "try it once and if you don't like it, you don't have to ever ride it again" rule. It stands for almost all attractions except the obvious ones: ToT, RnRC, SM - basically anything with a bar or seat belt that is there to ensure she doesn't fly out.

As for transportation, definitely stick with Disney's. The buses run fairly on schedule and it's the easiest way to get to and from the parks when staying on property, in my opinion. Also, you can take the boat from POR to DTD as well as to POFQ, Riverside's sister resort and #2 on my list of favorites!

 

[mobz]

She is very adventitious and tall enough to ride a lot of the rides! I just don't want to scare her and turn her off on rides! Anyway, it's a lot to plan and think about so thanks to everyone for your tips and advise!!

 

[MikeyTex]

My daughter was 6 and road Expedition Everest.......the end of the ride exposed her fear factor.......a small stuffed Yeti purchased in the gift shop eased her pain!!

 

[Metro West]

Welcome!

 

[Brave]

She is very adventitious and tall enough to ride a lot of the rides! I just don't want to scare her and turn her off on rides! Anyway, it's a lot to plan and think about so thanks to everyone for your tips and advise!!

If she's adventurous I'd let her ride anything she wants to/can. By the age of 4 my kids rode almost every ride in all 4 of the parks and loved them all.

I would suggest that if you are planning any character meals or meals at any of the popular restaurants that you make your reservations now. If you are going in October, your Advance Dining Reservations window has been open for almost 3 months and a lot of the places may already have limited availability. The October free dining discounts are supposed to come out next week, July 12, and after that the restaurants will certainly fill up.

 

[mobz]

Thanks! I did already book the dining. If I already paid for the dining package and they announce free dining, can I still get that discount? Also any suggestions on good counter service places? We have the regular dining plan and the table service are booked, but I can't really find information on good counter service places.

 

[moobar25]

Check out allears.net they have great info on dining including table service, counter service & snacks. You can find all the info including menus and pictures.

 

[Brave]

Thanks! I did already book the dining. If I already paid for the dining package and they announce free dining, can I still get that discount? Also any suggestions on good counter service places? We have the regular dining plan and the table service are booked, but I can't really find information on good counter service places.

Yes, you can add the discount to an existing reservation. You will need to call Disney reservations first thing and have them add the code, they will not do it automatically.

 

[mobz]

Thanks!

 

[disneychic2]

Thanks for the reply! We are staying at Port New Orleans Riverside. Would it be easier to take a car to the parks or the Disney transportation? We do plan on coming back to the hotel mid day for breaks and just want to conserve as much time as possible!

I think you'll find the Disney buses less hassle than trying to drive to each park. Even when it comes to afternoon breaks. Also, the boat to Downtown Disney is a real plus IMO. Nice and relaxing.

Thanks! I did already book the dining. If I already paid for the dining package and they announce free dining, can I still get that discount? Also any suggestions on good counter service places? We have the regular dining plan and the table service are booked, but I can't really find information on good counter service places.

If you go to all ears.net, they have menus for all the TS and CS restaurants in all the parks as well as DTD and the water parks. I'll give you my favorite CS places for each park:
AK - Flame Tree BBQ
Epcot - Sunshine Seasons (in The Land), or Kringla Bakeri in Norway
HS - ABC Commissary, (they have AC), or Staring Rolls (only open until 5)
MK - Columbia Harbour House (has more a feel of TS, esp upstairs) also Pecos Bills is great.

One final thing: if you haven't already ordered your free customized maps from the Disney website, do take the time to order them. Familiarizing yourself with each park layout is key to a successful time in each park. Also, it comes with little stickers for your DD to have fun with. Good luck and happy planning!

 

[mobz]

Those are great tips! As a Disney newbie, what does the DD and DH mean? Sorry if that's a dumb question but I am clueless!!

 

[MikeyTex]

Those are great tips! As a Disney newbie, what does the DD and DH mean? Sorry if that's a dumb question but I am clueless!!

Check out this thread.......abbreviation central!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660743

 

[disneychic2]

Those are great tips! As a Disney newbie, what does the DD and DH mean? Sorry if that's a dumb question but I am clueless!!

There is no such thing as a dumb question! We were all newbies at one time. Check out the thread from PP and you'll be just fine!

 

[mobz]

Thanks everyone for all of the help! This is the most stressful vacation I have ever planned! Now I am just hoping that they offer free dining in October!!!

 

[Brave]

It will be released this coming Monday for Disney Visa holders on Monday, July 9 and will open for booking to general public on Thursday, July 12.